Michigan: Judge throws out GOP lawsuit challenging unlimited donations to Governor during recall fight

A federal judge tossed out a lawsuit over Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) ability to raise unlimited funds during a recall and keep it for a general election. The rejection was over standing grounds, with the judge holding that the plaintiffs (the state GOP) hadn't shown an injury.

The decision comes down after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson submitted a filing saying the Governor would have to return money to donors or donated to other sources a

Whitmer was able to raise funds in unlimited amounts, rather than the $7,150 usual limit. Anyone paying attention to the California and Wisconsin recalls will be well familiar with this result. Petitioners would need 1,062,647 signatures to get on the ballot and here's a bill that is being proposed to get the recall law in-line with other campaign finance rules. 

I'm not clear why this was a federal court case rather than in state court.